Investment in artificial intelligence is helping the world economy grow by about 3% a year, despite high energy prices. Kristalina Georgieva, head of the International Monetary Fund, made the comments in Bangkok as the IMF and World Bank began their annual meetings. She said Asian economies that produce AI equipment, including Thailand, benefit most from this spending.
AI hardware and related technology products now represent more than a tenth of global trade in goods. Major technology companies plan to spend between $660 billion and $690 billion on AI this year, increasing demand for this equipment. The IMF's July outlook also predicted global growth of 3% for 2026. It said demand for AI was helping countries that export technology, while conflicts were affecting countries that import energy.
However, Georgieva warned that AI will also change work. The IMF expects it eventually to affect about four in ten jobs worldwide, improving some while making others worse or unnecessary. Young people entering employment face the first impact because the routine jobs they usually begin with are disappearing.
